An "aggressive" beggar has been banned from asking for money for two years.

Joshua Owen, 39, from London Road, Apsley, has been issued with a Criminal Behavioural Order (CBO), following numerous complaints from people about his persistent and aggressive begging.

Owen has regularly been spotted in St Albans and the borough of Dacorum.

Since April 2017 police have received several calls regarding the behaviour of Owen.

He had previously been issued with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) instructing him to stop his behaviour, but the notice was subsequently breached.

As a result, Owen was convicted at court on May 1 of failing to comply with his CPN, as well as theft, receiving stolen goods, going equipped to steal and two counts of fraud.

The local community safety unit subsequently applied for the CBO which was granted by magistrates.

As part of the two-year order Owen must not approach any member of the public in order to get money within Hertfordshire. If he does not comply with the order, he could be sent to prison.

Sergeant Mike Saunders, from the Dacorum and St Albans community safety unit, said: “Joshua Owen is a persistent offender whose actions have had a detrimental effect on the local community. When approaching members of the public for money he often behaves in an aggressive manner when cash is not handed over to him.

“I urge anyone who is approached by him not to give him money and to report the incident to police by calling Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-emergency number 101 so that any breaches can be dealt with. Information can also be reported online via our website.”